Month: January 2017

“Disquieting place…”

We have to be candles,
burning between
hope and despair,
faith and doubt,
life and death,
all the opposites.
That is the disquieting place
where people must always find us.

And if our life means anything,
if what we are goes beyond the monastery walls and
does some good,
it is that somehow,
by being here,
at peace,
we help the world cope
with what it cannot understand.

-William Brodrick

There is a strong connection from this written reflection and the King of Pop’s music video, Man In The Mirror.

We have more power than we know. Not power as our culture initially imagines it but power of consistency, showing up, burning in between it all.

“Neither quick nor easy…”

“I was taught that the way forward was neither quick nor easy.”-Marie Curie

I get energized by this. I see that the struggle I experience is the promise of progress. The hardship is the deposit for the return of success. The goal forward is clear. The road is rough but it is still clear.

If we feel de-energized by this, we should consider if we believe in the goal ahead. If we don’t believe in the goal ahead, it won’t be worth the struggle.

We must make that right for ourselves. Work to believe in the goal, change our situation to a different goal, or just sit in the muck and hate it. That choice is ours.

Integrity and Competition

I’m learning that competition can be from the heart of integrity.

Most easily, I see this when someone grabs hold of competition for not only their growth but for the growth/success of those around them or their organization.

When we enter into competition with a holistic mindset, we invite others in as well. Those who will grow quickly, and adapt to change, those who are driven, will not be able to keep out of the competition. Not to ‘win’ in the typical sense but to ‘win’ in a new sense. To win with integrity. Win that one may grow and/or those around grow.

I’m looking for competition in this way. Compete to make better, create more, work smarter, so others step in with me because they can’t help but do it.

A hinge-point here is that when someone enters into the ring of competition, we cannot shame them out nor ignore them. We must engage with integrity of influence and integrity of action at the core.

Give more than take

This is an ideal situation. The people around us and us give more than we take.

Is it even possible?

As creative “creatures” (it’s in the name) we have the capacity to create more, give more, make more, send more than we take in.

We are not simple beings who work like a gas engine. We have potential to be motivated, driven individuals, not based on what we receive on a transnational level. This resource to give must then come from within.

We must summon it. And we can!

I’m done believing the lie that I ought to have more or I need more to go forward. I am powerful beyond my comprehension.

Of course there will be times where we need to take more than we give. And in those situations, I hope we can feel comfortable knowing we’ve surrounded ourselves with people who give more than they take.

Discretion

This is a word that should be driven out of integrity, wholeness.

If not, it can be used to manipulate. If used with a heart of integrity and considering the other and entirety of a situation, it is powerful.

“the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation”

“the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information”

We have more discretion than we imagine. We should be accessing this tool more.

We will grow in understanding, others will be less hindered, and we will stop getting in our own way. Ensure it comes from a heart of holistic nature or whole hope.

Confidence, with Help

I question myself often.

I do so especially when I don’t hear any criticism or haven’t been able to think through an idea, situation, plan with someone else.

I question because I rely on someone else to tell me what’s wrong about it.

I should be more confident in solidarity but also could be much more successful if I have close friends who I can be sure would tell me if I’m wrong or going the wrong way.

If I know they are near and aware of what is going on, I have much more confidence.

It takes me hearing and them honestly telling. I need more direct and truthful people like that in my life.

My wife Kelly is much better at directions than I am. When she is in the passenger seat and paying attention, I confidently make decisions on where to go because I know if I’m about to change lanes when I’m not suppose to, she will call me on it.

Savior Complex

I recently started leading something new to me at work. I came in with a plan. A plan based on my perception of the group and my boss’ perception. I went in head strong claiming my plan expecting those I lead to “hip hip hooray!”

Needless to say that’s not the reason I’ve gotten especially from the ‘old timers’ in the group.

I neglected to come in with a humble spirit, an understanding ear, a thoughtful strategy. Thoughtful towards those who have the best perception of the group. The ones who have been there.

I missed the opportunity to consider the other when I started. I lacked Integrity of Influence.

Going forward, I’ll be considering the other, reaching out to those in the team before finalizing my plan.

And the next time I start something new, I’ll be cautious to claim my plans for the team…maybe even start without plans and go in ready to listen and act.

Unopposed Triad

Faith, Love, Hope

When these are all three combined, who can oppose it?

Faith on its own can be opposed as it can be seen as exclusive or unloving

Love can be opposed because it can seem to be without consideration or naive.

Hope can be opposed when it seems futile or weak.

All these in a triad are hard to oppose. They support each other and sustain each other. They lean on each other when they are hard pressed.

Where we have faith, we should have love and hope. Where we have love we should have faith and hope. Where we have hope we should have faith and love.